Husband Dead, Millions in Hand...But Wait—He'd Loved Me a Decade! - Chapter 9: Chapter 9
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Ethan laid it out—James had been battling stomach cancer for a decade.
Five years back, it got aggressive. Hospital became his second home.
That he'd hung on this long? Pure miracle territory.
The words bounced off me. My brain felt like static, body turning to ice as I sat vigil by his bed.
I stayed frozen there all night.
At dawn, James stirred.
His face brightened seeing me, then immediately creased with worry.
"Why are you crying?"
He tried lifting his hand to wipe my tears but couldn't manage it.
I caught it, settling it back gently.
"Don't move—you've got an IV going!"
My tone was sharper than intended. James didn't flinch, just tried comforting me:
"Don't stress about money. Even when I'm gone, our ten-year deal stands. Your bonuses are locked in..."
For once, his endless talking felt like torture instead of comfort.
Even dying, he was still telling me: Olivia, don't love me.
That's why I'd snapped back: " Don't forget to wire my million for this year."
At the time, I thought: Fine, James. I'll set you free—no strings, no feelings. Go be with your mystery girl with a clear conscience.
But James, you left your girl behind in this world.
A world where nobody loves her.
"I don't want your apology, you coward!"
Ten years together—I knew exactly why he was apologizing.
He'd married me whith terminal—sorry for couldn't be my forever.
He'd known about my feelings but staying distant because of his expiration date—sorry for letting me fall.
He'd tried letting go but left behind this AI loaded with his soul, hoping I'd figure out his feelings—sorry for being secretly selfish.
"Mr. Perfect! What a joke—you're just a beautiful liar!"
I lifted the robot like I might hurl it, then crushed it against my chest instead.
"Olivia?"
Ethan knocked. I opened the door to his apologetic expression.
"Sorry, forgot the charger."
I nodded numbly, reality creeping back in.
Ethan handed it over.
"James's dying wish was your happiness. Please don't forget that."
After he left, I forced my mouth into an ugly smile.
"Look, James—I'm smiling. See?"
The robot's eyes flickered back to life.
"Hello, Olivia. I'm James."
"Can we change your greeting?"
"What would you prefer?"
"Try... 'James and Olivia forever'..."
I suddenly realized—why he'd left me seventy million.
Married at twenty, ten years down, seventy to go.
He'd basically pre-paid my entire future. Controlling bastard.
"Why couldn't you stick around for forever?"
I poked the robot's nose.
"I'm sorry, Liv. I fought as hard as I could, but I only got ten years with you."
"So live for both of us, okay? Double the fun, double the adventure."
"Don't worry—I'll be right here until my circuits fry and my battery dies."
"I'll be watching from heaven, making sure you behave."
Classic James—still lecturing from beyond the grave.
I laughed despite the tears streaming down my face.
Five years back, it got aggressive. Hospital became his second home.
That he'd hung on this long? Pure miracle territory.
The words bounced off me. My brain felt like static, body turning to ice as I sat vigil by his bed.
I stayed frozen there all night.
At dawn, James stirred.
His face brightened seeing me, then immediately creased with worry.
"Why are you crying?"
He tried lifting his hand to wipe my tears but couldn't manage it.
I caught it, settling it back gently.
"Don't move—you've got an IV going!"
My tone was sharper than intended. James didn't flinch, just tried comforting me:
"Don't stress about money. Even when I'm gone, our ten-year deal stands. Your bonuses are locked in..."
For once, his endless talking felt like torture instead of comfort.
Even dying, he was still telling me: Olivia, don't love me.
That's why I'd snapped back: " Don't forget to wire my million for this year."
At the time, I thought: Fine, James. I'll set you free—no strings, no feelings. Go be with your mystery girl with a clear conscience.
But James, you left your girl behind in this world.
A world where nobody loves her.
"I don't want your apology, you coward!"
Ten years together—I knew exactly why he was apologizing.
He'd married me whith terminal—sorry for couldn't be my forever.
He'd known about my feelings but staying distant because of his expiration date—sorry for letting me fall.
He'd tried letting go but left behind this AI loaded with his soul, hoping I'd figure out his feelings—sorry for being secretly selfish.
"Mr. Perfect! What a joke—you're just a beautiful liar!"
I lifted the robot like I might hurl it, then crushed it against my chest instead.
"Olivia?"
Ethan knocked. I opened the door to his apologetic expression.
"Sorry, forgot the charger."
I nodded numbly, reality creeping back in.
Ethan handed it over.
"James's dying wish was your happiness. Please don't forget that."
After he left, I forced my mouth into an ugly smile.
"Look, James—I'm smiling. See?"
The robot's eyes flickered back to life.
"Hello, Olivia. I'm James."
"Can we change your greeting?"
"What would you prefer?"
"Try... 'James and Olivia forever'..."
I suddenly realized—why he'd left me seventy million.
Married at twenty, ten years down, seventy to go.
He'd basically pre-paid my entire future. Controlling bastard.
"Why couldn't you stick around for forever?"
I poked the robot's nose.
"I'm sorry, Liv. I fought as hard as I could, but I only got ten years with you."
"So live for both of us, okay? Double the fun, double the adventure."
"Don't worry—I'll be right here until my circuits fry and my battery dies."
"I'll be watching from heaven, making sure you behave."
Classic James—still lecturing from beyond the grave.
I laughed despite the tears streaming down my face.
End of Husband Dead, Millions in Hand...But Wait—He'd Loved Me a Decade! Chapter 9. Continue reading Chapter 10 or return to Husband Dead, Millions in Hand...But Wait—He'd Loved Me a Decade! book page.